Options for a Natural-Looking Breast Augmentation
In the fifty years since Atlanta Plastic Surgery was founded, our experienced staff and board-certified plastic surgeons have seen attitudes towards plastic surgery change a great deal. However, in all that time, one procedure has remained consistently popular: breast augmentation, or as it is commonly known, the “boob job.” Nevertheless, even in this area, aesthetic tastes have evolved. Although it was not necessarily always the case, today’s health-conscious women tend to be more interested in subtle, natural-looking results that leave doubt in the mind of observers as to whether or not they have undergone plastic surgery at all. Extremely natural looking breast augmentation results can be achieved using a combination of advanced technology and the latest plastic surgery techniques.
For many years, breast augmentation procedures were accomplished exclusively through the use of round (or, more accurately, spherical) breast implants. While these could effectively increase both size and lift, they could also sometimes create an overly rounded fullness to the upper portion of the breast. While many women find this look desirable, some feel that it looks unnatural and makes the implants far too obvious. Today, advancements in breast implant technology make it possible to achieve a more subtle and more natural look with shaped breast implants. By using a thicker, more cohesive silicone gel, these implants can be shaped like a teardrop, so that they can more accurately mimic the natural contours of the female breast. Shaped implants also have a slightly textured surface, which not only anchors them more firmly within the breast cavity but also allows healing tissue to accept and integrate the breast implant more naturally, significantly reducing the risk of capsular contracture, a rare but potentially serious breast surgery complication.
Additionally, breast augmentation results can be further refined and made to look more natural through fat transfer techniques. Used in a wide variety of plastic surgery procedures ranging from minor facial rejuvenation to the Brazilian Butt Lift, fat transfer works by removing a small amount of fat from the thighs or torso via liposuction and then reinjecting that fat into areas of the body that are in need of additional volume or projection. During a traditional breast augmentation or breast reconstruction procedure, injecting fat between the breast bone and the implant edges will effectively “soften” the transition zone. A survey published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® determined that breast augmentation procedures using this fat transfer technique reduce the intermammary distance and consistently provide more attractive and natural-looking results.
Although breast augmentation procedures are extremely popular, and performed on hundreds of thousands of women every year, it is always important to remember that every woman is unique. Techniques that may be extremely effective for some might not necessarily be suitable for every patient. In order to determine what specific plastic surgery procedures can best achieve your individual goals, contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. at one of our Atlanta, Alpharetta, or Cumming offices to schedule a consultation. One of our board-certified plastic surgeons will go over your specific case and evaluate what approach would be right for you. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ to get all the latest plastic surgery news.